Who will sink?
Karim Adeyemi: The young German’s talent is undeniable, but can Niko Kovace get the best out of him? When he’s good, he’s great, but Adeyemi has had problems with his attitude in the past, and, at times, he hasn’t given his full effort. That won’t fly with Kovac, nor will his inconsistent performances, like when Tullberg subbed him in against Heidenheim only to substitute him out. With many clubs likely vying for his signature this summer, I have to question if Adeyemi is willing to put in the work when the going gets tough. He did choose to stay at BVB in January despite a hefty offer from Napoli, so perhaps his attitude has been overanalyzed.
Emre Can: The current captain will remain captain as Niko Kovač takes the helm. Emre Can’s performances have been underwhelming this campaign, and his form has seemed to have dropped year after year. Emre Can is under a lot of pressure right now. Will Dortmund seek to sell him this summer? Will Niko Kovač name a new captain for next season? Will he Emre Can see regular minutes when enough defenders are fit? If he’s not up to the task, then Emre Can could find himself iced out by the new manager.
Almugera Kabar, Kjell Wätjen, & Cole Campbell: The youngsters brought up to the first team this season have already struggled to find minutes under Sahin, and a new coach isn’t the most positive sign for them. Kovač needs to get the team back on track, and he’s likely to focus on pushing the senior players to achieve their form again, while squad development will be forced to wait. Yet maybe one of these players will impress in training, and Kovač will take notice.